Latest News - the proposed change of use of the library is being withdrawn (as of 1/8/13). More news to arrive next week. There is a celebratory drink by The Tree (as it is now known) outside library - next Fri 9th @7pm (630 for early birds) - everyone welcome. We all need to remain vigilant - so still make sure you are consulted from now on - stay in touch with the council, and stay in touch with us, as we will form a Wimbledon Library Action Group (or Support Group, or similar name) - see action point 3 below. The rest of this page is just for posterity, thank goodness. ______________________________________

Wimbledon library site is about to undergo a change of policy in how it might be used in the next 10 years, to allow 'an appropriate mix' of retail, office, business and finance, restaurants and cafes, residential, community and library uses. The actual implementation of the change of use can't take place for a while - but we still have to act quickly if we are concerned. The policy document describing the change of use for the site (and many other sites in Merton) is waiting for approval by central government in September. You will read that there are 'no plans' to change the library, or to change its use. This is word play. A developer will only submit implementation 'plans' for the library site once the appropriate mix of uses has been approved. We suggest you make up your own mind from more evidence - see info section.

What the council HAVE committed to

Being open to plans for redevelopment and change of use of the Wimbledon Library site ('sell off')

'flexible' 'adaptable' space

an 'appropriate mix' of office, retail, residential, restaurants and cafes, business and finance, and 'enhanced' library

'retaining and improving' the library

making the library site as subject to 'core shopping frontage' policies

increased 'customer floor space' at the current site

closing the Wimbledon Community Centre

being open to 'new extensions', referring to 'typical town centre uses in buildings of 3 to 4 storeys'

protecting the front wall of the site

What the council HAVEN'T given us

a clear statement of how much space will be allocated to education, community and library use (D1 uses)

a clear idea of what an 'improved' and 'enhanced' library means

a definition of 'customer' in a site designated as both a library and shopping frontage

a clear idea of where a better library site is

a clear statement of whether Wimbledon Community Centre facilities will be housed in a redeveloped site (an unclear statement is given)

We believe that the change of use policy should be stopped completely, because there is no commitment to space allocation for education, community and library uses, and the council have rejected the idea that all these new commercial uses should be secondary uses. There is a chance of the site turning into another shopping frontage and residential flats, with a library squeezed in there somewhere. Although the council repeat that the library should be 'improved', we don't know exactly what is meant by this, and the council will not say how much space will be committed to education, library, community uses.

The final public consultation ends on 30th August, so we have to act together quickly to spread the word.

1. Sign the online petition

Use the link on the right. Two people from the same home address can sign separately, using a separate email address. Your own comments and personal messagewill have more impact (hopefully).Don't mention library closure - the lib is being 'improved', but it is core shopping frontage now, with no space commitment for library, education and community uses !

2 . Sign a comment form (available here or at the library ) We have apparently been so well consulted already, so we really need your comments to prove that we all care about loss of commitment to public space - education, library, community, and we care about what might happen to the building.
Don't mention library closure - it is being 'improved' without any commitment to public space. We don't need a change of use, which will open up all sorts of possibilities in terms of space provision in future. You might also wish to say you weren't consulted. Return paper copies to us at the address at the bottom, or to the library. You will also see someone outside the library most mornings - 9am onwards. Get together with a friend and start collecting them yourself.3. Be consulted properly

Get on the council consultation database - Email ldf@merton.gov.uk with your name, address, postcode, stating that you wish to be placed on the consultation database concerning proposals and plans regarding the Wimbledon Library site. Register with us too, so we can keep in touch independently - use the contact form. Also Follow us on Twitter @SaveWimLibrary (This would really help us). We are hoping to hold a proper public consultation meeting concerning the site - you need to be invited !4. Ask your councillorAsk them whether they voted against making commercial uses, (such as retail ), anciliary to D1 uses - library, community and educational use, and if so, why. Read between the lines. Don't accept words that give nice impressions, but say nothing about space. Your own personal message of interest and concern over the library will have more impact. Contact blog@savewimbledonlibrary.org to get quotes put up on our blog. Just type in your postcode to find your councillor

5. Spread the word We need 10, 000 signatures, because this has gone so far already !Download and print the campaign poster - stick it somewhere visible. Put it on a tree. See Downloadssection. Tell others - PLEASE READ the stuff in the INFO and BLOGsections.

6. VolunteerIf you can spare a half hour or so to help out, that would be great. We need people to distribute campaign materials door to door, put up posters available on the download section, collect signatures and comments outside the library and centre court entrances. Email helpus@savewimbledonlibrary.org with message title 'Volunteer' , or use the contact form on this site. Just say what you would like to do, how much time you would like to commit, and when you would be free. You can pick up these campaign materials from another volunteer outside the library.